Benefits of Registering

If your name is not on the register it may affect your credit rating. You could experience problems getting loans, mortgages, finance agreements, mobile phone contract.

Decisions made by local and national government affect you, your family and friends as you will come into daily contact with services such as:

Schools, leisure centres, libraries, community centres and parks

Refuse collection, street cleaning and lighting and road repairs

Public transport, car parks and on-street parking

Residential care homes and day centres

Public health, city cafes, restaurants and other food outlets

Housing and benefits

Cemeteries, crematoria and many more

To have your say you need to be registered to vote. Being registered means you can vote in all elections and referenda you are eligible for, including Local, Parliamentary and European elections.

There are other reasons why it is beneficial to be listed on the electoral register:

The electoral register is used to call people for jury service. Studies show that fewer young people and people from ethnic minorities register to vote. The result is that they are under-represented in the legal system.

It is also a legal requirement that you return a Household Enquiry Form each year and failure to do so could result in a fine of up to £1000. Even if you are registered to vote, you are obliged to return a completed the Household Enquiry Form annually

Please note that being registered for Council Tax does not automatically put you on the register.

Eligibility to Vote

To be eligible for inclusion on the Register of Electors you must be:

Over 18, or reach the age of 18 during the period in which the register is in force

A British, Irish, Commonwealth or European Union Citizen, or citizen of a British Overseas Territory or British Crown Dependency

Resident at the property you wish to register at on the date you apply

Check If You're Registered

The full register is available for public inspection at Central Library, Angel Row, Nottingham. You will need to make an appointment by phoning 0115 915 2828 or 0115 915 2284. For information about the register, such as the differences between the Full and Open register and viewing locations, please visit The Electoral Register page.